“Well, we’re in Vegas, and I would bet a lot of money that this guy comes back probably in preseason,” Buss said during the Lakers-Milwaukee Bucks game at the Las Vegas Summer League. “He’s real sharp in taking care of himself and he’s not going to rush anything just to get back and prove a point. He’s going to come back when he’s right. He’s a machine. He’s inhuman. I see him coming back at the beginning of this season. I can’t believe how much he’s progressed so far.”

I don’t think Kobe will take any risks in preseason, but expect him on the court in season opener. He has something to prove, not just that they Lakers can be competitive without Dwight Howard, but that he can overcome an injury others have never come back from.